By: Jack Reed, sports information assistant
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The venue was different but the opponent and outcome was the same as Bluffton downed Manchester University 69-60 at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on a windy Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. Bluffton improved to 3-0 on the season, while Manchester dipped to 0-4 following its third straight loss to the Beavers.
The Beavers were led out to start the game by senior guard Nora Hemminger (McComb), senior guard Kylie Brock (Villa Hills KY./ Covington), junior center Emma Saltzman (Arcadia), junior guard Sammy Shardo (Findlay-Liberty Benton), and freshman guard Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead). The first two baskets for the Beavers were scored by Fitzpatrick. Halfway through the first stanza Bluffton took a 9-4 lead thanks to a three-pointer from Shardo. With the help of some stifling defense, the Beavers ended the first period holding a 14-8 lead.
Bluffton jumped out to a 17-10 spread thanks to freshman Sydney Cavanaugh (Mansfield/St. Peter's) who connected on her second triple of the game. The Spartans and Beavers began trading baskets, and at the five-minute mark Bluffton still had a 23-19 lead. That trend continued as the Beavers took a five-point lead (30-25) into the break.
The Beavers came out of halftime firing on all cylinders as Fitzpatrick connected on a three just over a minute into period three. Brock scored on three straight possessions, cashing in two triples and an old fashioned three-point play. Following another Fitzpatrick layup, the duo had Bluffton sitting at a 10-point lead only four minutes into the half. After a couple stagnant minutes of offense, Cavanaugh drove to the bucket and scored. The Spartans were outscored by seven in the third, and at the end of the period the Beavers took a 54-42 lead into the final ten minutes.
In the fourth, Hemminger started Bluffton out with seven straight points. The Beavers continued to widen the gap throughout the quarter, taking a 65-52 lead thanks to a pullup jumper by freshman Taylor Malson (Castalia/Margaretta). With four minutes to play the Beavers had a comfortable lead that allowed them to coast in for the nine-point victory. Bluffton's final basket came on a Shardo jumper with just over two minutes to play.
Fitzpatrick led the way with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field. Shardo and Brock made it three in double figures with 13 points apiece. Shardo was 3-of-6 from deep and she ripped down five rebounds.
Cavanaugh sank 3-of-4 with a pair of triples for eight points and Hemminger added seven counters. Pulling down a team-high eight boards was Schneider. Hemminger also doled out four assists, pulled down four caroms and picked up three steals for the victors.
Bluffton connected on 27-of-63 from the field for 42.9 percent, including a season-best 9-of-22 (40.9 percent) from beyond the arc. Manchester struggled to a 4-of-15 night (26.7 percent) on triples. The Beavers pulled down one more rebound (39-38), while turning it over five fewer times (21-16). The visitors fashioned a 30-26 edge in paint points and took advantage with 20 points off turnovers.
Bluffton will return to North Manchester on Saturday, Nov. 21, for installment number four in the Beaver-Spartan series. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. Indiana time. Check the website regularly for updates related to Bluffton Women's Basketball and all Beaver athletics!
-BEAVERS-